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CVE-2021-38544

MEDIUMCVSS 5.9/10EPSS 1.29%

Last modified

CVE-2021-38544 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.9/10 on the CVSS scale. Sony SRS-XB33 and SRS-XB43 devices through 2021-08-09 allow remote attackers to recover speech signals from an LED on the device, via a telescope and an electro-optical sensor, aka a "Glowworm" attack. The power indicator LED of the speakers is connected directly to the power line, as a result, the intensity of a device's power indicator LED is correlative to the power consumption. EPSS estimates a 1.29% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Sony SRS-XB33 and SRS-XB43 devices through 2021-08-09 allow remote attackers to recover speech signals from an LED on the device, via a telescope and an electro-optical sensor, aka a "Glowworm" attack. The power indicator LED of the speakers is connected directly to the power line, as a result, the intensity of a device's power indicator LED is correlative to the power consumption. The sound played by the speakers affects their power consumption and as a result is also correlative to the light intensity of the LEDs. By analyzing measurements obtained from an electro-optical sensor directed at the power indicator LEDs of the speakers, we can recover the sound played by them.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1
5.9/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

EPSS Probability
1.29%

66.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

VendorProductVersions
SonySrs-Xb33 Firmware<= 2021-08-09
SonySrs-Xb43 Firmware<= 2021-08-09

References

Timeline

Published
Last Modified
Status
Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-38544?
Sony SRS-XB33 and SRS-XB43 devices through 2021-08-09 allow remote attackers to recover speech signals from an LED on the device, via a telescope and an electro-optical sensor, aka a "Glowworm" attack. The power indicator LED of the speakers is connected directly to the power line, as a result, the intensity of a device's power indicator LED is correlative to the power consumption. The sound played by the speakers affects their power consumption and as a result is also correlative to the light intensity of the LEDs. By analyzing measurements obtained from an electro-optical sensor directed at the power indicator LEDs of the speakers, we can recover the sound played by them.
How severe is CVE-2021-38544?
CVE-2021-38544 has a CVSS score of 5.9/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.29% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2021-38544?
Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-38544?

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Source: NVD / NIST